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My Older Cat Ginger Suddenly Cant Meow
- Thread starter MikeAW2010
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I'm going to splash some photos of Ginger and his brother Marshmallow when they were kittens.
Ginger (Top), Marshmallow (Bottom)
Ginger
Ginger and Marshmallow playing with my bedsheet.
This was Ginger when I first got him and when he was sick. I didnt know what a kitty flu was at the time but he was hardly able to breathe.
Holding Ginger until he fell asleep in my arms.
Ginger (Top), Marshmallow (Bottom)
Ginger
Ginger and Marshmallow playing with my bedsheet.
This was Ginger when I first got him and when he was sick. I didnt know what a kitty flu was at the time but he was hardly able to breathe.
Holding Ginger until he fell asleep in my arms.
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Right after I posted - I started hearing some hacking and wheezing and it was Ginger. It was like he had a hairball but nothing came out. I think he was coughing. Is it possible he is suffering from Asthma? Shouldnt the vet have caught it if he was?
I think you will know more once the test results are all back and you can discuss them with the vet. Depending on what all the tests were, it is possible if Ginger has asthma that the vet might have picked up on something.
Feeby does the coughing/hacking thing that generally comes with throwing up a hairball, but 98% of the time nothing comes out. Not sure why it happens, but she has done this for years, so I no longer get concerned about it.
Feeby does the coughing/hacking thing that generally comes with throwing up a hairball, but 98% of the time nothing comes out. Not sure why it happens, but she has done this for years, so I no longer get concerned about it.
Figure anything out yet???
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sorry for not updating, been extremely busy.
They prescribed me Doxycycline and I picked it up a day after his X-rays. They prescribed 1.5ml's every 12 hours. So I give him once at 9am and once at 9pm. So far I've done probably alittle less than half the bottle. He seems alittle better. Theres an audible intention of meowing when he tries to meow when before there was nothing but dead silence. He can still purr atleast. His appetite seems normal. They said everything else about him also seemed to be in good condition, no signs of asthma or tumors. Hopefully the medicine will help.
They prescribed me Doxycycline and I picked it up a day after his X-rays. They prescribed 1.5ml's every 12 hours. So I give him once at 9am and once at 9pm. So far I've done probably alittle less than half the bottle. He seems alittle better. Theres an audible intention of meowing when he tries to meow when before there was nothing but dead silence. He can still purr atleast. His appetite seems normal. They said everything else about him also seemed to be in good condition, no signs of asthma or tumors. Hopefully the medicine will help.
Keep us updated as he recovers. We'll fret!
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His meow seems to be returning. Its not fully there but he's audible again. I am wondering if Ginger may have had an allergic reaction to a flea infestation that my two Ferals brought.
Awwwwww, so handsome!
I can't offer anything about a flea infestation casing the loss of voice. The meds Ginger was on is an antibiotic used to treat infections. I think you could call the vet and pose the question at least to see what they say. It never hurts to ask!!
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Well, for a moment Ginger was able to meow again but very hoarse and rough. For a moment it stabilized but then my other older cat, Marshmallow (related to Ginger) is now also unable to meow. Like Ginger he opens his mouth to meow and nothing comes out. Ginger's meow has been becoming worse as well and Ginger is starting to show very eratic behavior.
I've always had trouble with Ginger and food, he will eat way too much unless I ration his food and monitor him to make sure he doesnt take other cats food. He's overweight and very big for a cat. Well, today its worse because he seems to always beg for food, like literally...ALWAYS. He's also seemingly antsy and has been more frequently getting aggressive with his brother Marshmallow. Then he goes on meowing storms (he can barely meow) and seems to relentlessly search through the house and then starts clawing on doors trying to open them, even the front door to the house and doors he's never been inside before. At times his door clawing gets so intense I'm forced to put him in a kennel.
He's constantly hoarsly meowing and searching and trying to get into stuff and his behavior seems very off... plus he's become alot more - playful...yet aggressive at the same time....
what could be going on here?
Edit: I also found this under his chin... is this concerning?
I've always had trouble with Ginger and food, he will eat way too much unless I ration his food and monitor him to make sure he doesnt take other cats food. He's overweight and very big for a cat. Well, today its worse because he seems to always beg for food, like literally...ALWAYS. He's also seemingly antsy and has been more frequently getting aggressive with his brother Marshmallow. Then he goes on meowing storms (he can barely meow) and seems to relentlessly search through the house and then starts clawing on doors trying to open them, even the front door to the house and doors he's never been inside before. At times his door clawing gets so intense I'm forced to put him in a kennel.
He's constantly hoarsly meowing and searching and trying to get into stuff and his behavior seems very off... plus he's become alot more - playful...yet aggressive at the same time....
what could be going on here?
Edit: I also found this under his chin... is this concerning?
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I know you said the vet did a bunch of tests, but did they include a full chemistry profile and T4 counts? Ginger's behavior (except the hoarseness) could also be related to renal or liver issues - which is where the chemistry profile would help - or, even hyperthyroidism, which can also cause hoarseness as I have come to find out. Is he by chance looking as if he might be losing any weight?
It could also be a thyroid tumor (not usually cancerous). What parts of his body were x-rayed? I know you mentioned swollen tonsils, but I wasn't sure what they were x-raying - and, I don't know if a thyroid tumor would show up in what ever they did.
I don't know how likely it would be that Marshmallow also has thyroid issues, but then again, they are related...
I think you should notify your vet of Ginger's changes and let them know Marshmallow is demonstrating the hoarseness as well. You might also consider getting a copy of all of Ginger's records and consulting with another vet (from an entirely different practice). Your vet is missing something.
I don't know how likely it would be that Marshmallow also has thyroid issues, but then again, they are related...
I think you should notify your vet of Ginger's changes and let them know Marshmallow is demonstrating the hoarseness as well. You might also consider getting a copy of all of Ginger's records and consulting with another vet (from an entirely different practice). Your vet is missing something.
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Ginger doesnt seem to be losing weight, infact he seems to be gaining weight despite that I'm only feeding him wet (raw) food twice a day. Marshmallow is also overweight but Ginger is worse.
What kind of vet do I need to go to get a T4 count?
I've been going to BeeVet animal hospital in Austin TX. At first they seemed okay but my last visit with Ginger left me very sour given it costed me almost $900 and he's still sick.
What kind of vet do I need to go to get a T4 count?
I've been going to BeeVet animal hospital in Austin TX. At first they seemed okay but my last visit with Ginger left me very sour given it costed me almost $900 and he's still sick.
Most vets who can do blood tests of any kind can also do a T4 count. I am surprised your vet didn't do one, since your cats are overweight and Ginger is 8 yo. T4 is looking for thyroid issues; so, check your tests results and make sure they didn't perform that test. I am not sure if a thyroid tumor would automatically alter the T4 results or not, though.
Also, you might look to see if you have a nearby vet university that you could convince your vet to consult with. I think most universities want to deal directly with vets, as opposed to owners - but, you could try to contact them yourself as well, just to see.
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Took Ginger to a different vet and they did in-house bloodwork. They stated his T4 count was fine and their bloodwork looked great. They too were unable to see anything in his x-rays but noted he did have some swelling near his tonsils. They didn't see anything that indicated a cyst or tumor. They stated he did have a heart murmur but overall besides his weight he appeared to be in good health. They recommended I try 5mg of Zyrtec as he could be having an allergy.
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Unfortunately I dont know what is wrong.
I tried zyrtec and it had no affect. They prescribed me more antibiotics but still nothing. His meowing is still very hoarse. Like the last vet, they did detect alittle bit of swelling in his throat near his tonsils but couldn't tell what the cause was and would need to send me to a specialist to find out. The x-rays were clean.
Ginger seems to be getting worse. When I look in his eyes, he doesnt even seem like the same cat anymore, its like they're empty. He is FAT. Plus he is relentlessly, ALWAYS hungry - to the point he will fight for food like he was starving even if he already ate. Its come to a point where I have to lock him up because he causes too many problems and cries, begs for food all day and night regardless how much he eats. When he's locked up he basically scratching and struggles all day to get out the kennel.
They said they couldnt find any thyroid issues but why is he acting so hungry?
I tried zyrtec and it had no affect. They prescribed me more antibiotics but still nothing. His meowing is still very hoarse. Like the last vet, they did detect alittle bit of swelling in his throat near his tonsils but couldn't tell what the cause was and would need to send me to a specialist to find out. The x-rays were clean.
Ginger seems to be getting worse. When I look in his eyes, he doesnt even seem like the same cat anymore, its like they're empty. He is FAT. Plus he is relentlessly, ALWAYS hungry - to the point he will fight for food like he was starving even if he already ate. Its come to a point where I have to lock him up because he causes too many problems and cries, begs for food all day and night regardless how much he eats. When he's locked up he basically scratching and struggles all day to get out the kennel.
They said they couldnt find any thyroid issues but why is he acting so hungry?
This would make me suspect of something about genes. But also... do they eat cold food? Like a lot of us here give some of the wet food and take the rest back to the fridge. Do you do that too? If yes, do you wait until it's warmed up? What about the water they drink from the bowl or tap -- is it cold?
I would also suspect of everything that causes heartburn or oversalivating. Dental issues, acid reflux/gastritis to name a few. I haven't seen it if you mentioned on the thread but do they throw up? If so how frequently? Do they get wet burps they swallow right back?
